Heading into Week 14’s Monday Night Football clash, the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers share identical 8-4 records-but that’s about where the similarities end. One team is trying to hold onto a division lead despite recent stumbles, while the other is clinging to a playoff spot with one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league. This one’s not just about records-it’s about survival, momentum, and postseason positioning.
The Eagles: Still in Control, But Searching for Answers
Philadelphia comes into this one on a two-game skid, but thanks to a strong start and some help from around the NFC East, they still hold a 1.5-game lead over the Dallas Cowboys. A win on Monday night could push that cushion to 2.5 games, giving them some breathing room in a division that’s been tighter than expected down the stretch.
The schedule ahead does them a few favors. After this showdown with the Chargers, they still have to face the Buffalo Bills-never an easy task-but the rest of the slate includes two games against the struggling Washington Commanders (3-9) and a matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. In other words, if the Eagles can stop the bleeding and get back to what they do best, they’re in a solid position to lock up the division.
The big question? Can they re-establish their ground game, especially with Jalen Hurts not running like he used to?
Hurts, once one of the most dangerous dual-threat QBs in the league, has seen his rushing numbers dip dramatically. In September, he was averaging over 10 carries per game.
Since then? Just over five.
That drop-off has made the Eagles’ RPO game far less effective, allowing defenses to key in on Saquon Barkley and take away easy third-down conversions. Without Hurts threatening the edge, the offense has looked disjointed, and it’s showing up in the win-loss column.
Word out of Philly is that head coach Nick Sirianni has been more hands-on in offensive meetings this week, which could mean a return to the formula that made this team so dangerous: a heavy dose of ground-and-pound, RPOs that keep defenses guessing, and deep shots when the box gets too crowded. If they can reestablish that identity, the Eagles could be peaking at just the right time.
The Chargers: On the Brink
For the Chargers, this one is as close to a must-win as it gets in early December. Yes, they’re 8-4 and currently hold the top AFC wildcard spot thanks to tiebreakers over the Colts and Bills. But the road ahead is brutal.
After facing the Eagles, they head to Kansas City to play the Chiefs, then to Dallas to take on the Cowboys, before closing out the season with home games against the Texans and Broncos. Denver, by the way, has the second-best record in the AFC. So yeah, there’s not much room for error here.
If the Chargers drop this one and then fall to the Chiefs next week, they’ll be in a dogfight just to stay in the postseason hunt. And they may not even control their own destiny anymore.
To make matters worse, quarterback Justin Herbert is questionable for Monday night after undergoing surgery on his non-throwing hand. He was limited in practice on Saturday, and while there’s a chance he suits up, it’s still unclear how much he’ll play-or how effective he’ll be.
If Herbert can’t go the distance, the Chargers may have to turn to Trey Lance. The former first-round pick has talent, no doubt, but he hasn’t had much time in this system. The plan could involve Lance taking shotgun snaps while Herbert handles under-center duties, but no matter how they slice it, it’s not ideal.
Especially not behind this offensive line.
With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both on IR, the Chargers are leaning on Jamaree Salyer and Trey Pipkins III at tackle-and it hasn’t gone well. The Chargers have given up 40 sacks through 12 games, the sixth-most in the league. That’s a dangerous stat with a banged-up quarterback and a defense like Philly’s on the other side.
Now, the Eagles haven’t exactly been terrorizing quarterbacks this season-they’ve only recorded 24 sacks-but they’ve got the pieces to cause problems. Back in Week 11, Jared Goff found that out the hard way.
Even without rookie standout Jalen Carter, the Eagles can rotate in Jaelan Phillips, Nolan Smith, Moro Ojomo, and Jalyx Hunt to keep the pressure coming. Against a shaky offensive line, that could be the difference.
The Run Game Factor
Here’s a key stat to keep in mind: when the Chargers allow 100+ rushing yards, they’re 2-3 with a -58 point differential. Teams like the Giants and Jaguars have used the run to control the clock and keep the Chargers’ offense off the field. If the Eagles can do the same-say, win the time of possession battle by 10 minutes-they’ll be in the driver’s seat.
That’s why getting Hurts back to running the ball isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
What’s at Stake?
If the Chargers were healthy, they’d probably be favored in this one. Their offense, when clicking, is one of the most explosive in the league. Their defense has held up well against both the run and the pass, and they’re playing with a clear sense of urgency.
But they’re not healthy. Not even close.
With Herbert’s status in doubt and the offensive line in flux, the Chargers are walking a tightrope. If they don’t get great play-calling from Greg Roman and some big-time performances from their backups, this could be the beginning of a very tough final stretch.
For the Eagles, this feels like a chance to reset. They’ve been off their game the past couple weeks, but a win here could reignite the spark heading into the final month. They don’t need to be perfect-they just need to be themselves again.
Bottom line: one team is trying to stay in control, the other is trying to stay alive. Monday night’s going to tell us a lot about both.